I do appreciate the advice. I am stuck on which Grad ND system to get though. that was my first (and primary) question. I certainly will use the CPL more than any ND filter. I guess the most slim option (for CPL) will be my choice. And no, you're not in the same bucket as KR. I've actually felt bad for using his site so much for reference and never pitching the poor guy $5. He is a walking contradiction with hysterical comments that each new camera is the best in the world. I will paypal you a few bones if you'll forgive me. :-) Sorry again, I'm just REALLY trying to finish researching/obsessing/buying gear because it gets in the way of other things in my life. Once I find the filters i need, then I'll be set and perhaps actually start posting some more material on photo-a-day.

So this begs the question, would you guys use Lee filters (Resin I believe) or go with another brand (glass filters)? So,so,so many choices.....

birdman said:
I wish all folks could take a simple statement for face value. Unfortunately genetics and "personalities" will not allow it. Let's see: New D800, 16-35VR, 24-120VR, 50/1.8G, 85/1.8D, 70-300VR, SB-600, two (2) Nikon 77mm NC filters and a slew of unemployed girlfriends and family members never put me in bankruptcy. But you may be on to something: perhaps I CAN afford a $150 filter. You're the man, I tell you. And you answered my question extremely well. (Rolls eyes) Does someone need to receive a paypal donation? I'm starting with you and Ken Rockwell is immediately 2nd on my list. I tend to group pointless advice in the same bucket. Maybe it's flawed logic.

Birdman, I wasn't trying to offend. One man's bankruptcy is annothers pocket change. I was asking a serious question in what I thought was a humorous way. I guess I should have thrown in a :-) I stand by my advice that the Nikon CPL is worth the cost; I use the 77mm on a 10-24 and have used several cheaper brands along the way with mixed results,vignetting on the shorter end, and poor color rendition, seconding Meleagris regrets on buying cheaper first. While I'd be happy to accept a PayPal donation, I'm not sure throwing me into the same bucket as KR is merited.

I do apologize for rudeness of comments I made. Some people occasionally act like this is an aggressive Canon forum or something. You know, like something dealing with inferior gear makes them predisposed to asinine comments : )

Yes, there is a Ritz about 80 miles away --- seems like all the stores in San Diego shut down for good! When some closed down in Louisiana years back they had 50-80% off filters!!

I use a Marumi CPL. It does vignette ever so slightly on my 17-35. For ND grads, I use 1, 2, and 3-stop Cokins. Admittedly they are not in the same class as the Singh Ray filters, but for the amount that I use them I think they are acceptable. They also provide the ability to stack, which can be helpful.
Kanuck, the shots I've seen with the SR Blue Gold filter are stunning. Please post some samples when you get yours.

Birdman...I have and love the 16-35mm. I have used the Nikon CPL with this lens with no problem. I just bought a B+W and like it even better. I think it was ~$140. It really is a beautiful filter and is made to a very high standard. I certainly understand the aversion to paying so much for a filter....it kills me. I am the king of buying lower end accessories and being regretful of it.

And thanks to people (like MsMoto and TTJ) who actually contribute to a conversation. Trolls...not so much.

I don't drink coffee or eat out. when i did drink coffee, Starbucks was *only* so-so. Buying over $5,000 in equipment over the past 2 months has been tough, though. these aren't $5 lattes we're talking. As mentioned, I sure didn't skimp on my gear. Will buy a $150 Nikon or Hoya CPL and a $200-250 complete square filter system and be done with it.

OK, just as a query here, if one sticks a 10.5mm thick, $390 Singh Ray Grad ND Filter on the front of the 16-35mm, will not this vignette like crazy at anything wider than about 20mm of focal length? Even the 8mm of stacking two fixed density Hoyas will vignette, but I would think a bit less. And the Hoya Multi coated filters have seemed to perform fairly well for me in the past.

The advantage of the Singh Ray is the ability to vary the exposure in between the 3, 6, or 9 f/stops, but some variability is always available from ISO and lens f/stop in addition to time.

Ironheart said:
The Nikon one is $138 on Amazon. The Tiffen is $100 less. You get what you pay for. There is always Promaster or Rocketfish if you want cheap. Is a buck and a half bankruptcy?

I wish all folks could take a simple statement for face value. Unfortunately genetics and "personalities" will not allow it. Let's see: New D800, 16-35VR, 24-120VR, 50/1.8G, 85/1.8D, 70-300VR, SB-600, two (2) Nikon 77mm NC filters and a slew of unemployed girlfriends and family members never put me in bankruptcy. But you may be on to something: perhaps I CAN afford a $150 filter. You're the man, I tell you. And you answered my question extremely well. (Rolls eyes) Does someone need to receive a paypal donation? I'm starting with you and Ken Rockwell is immediately 2nd on my list. I tend to group pointless advice in the same bucket. Maybe it's flawed logic.

parke1953 said:
birdman don't go out to diner next weekend and no Starbucks this week and you got your filter. Small sacrifice big payback.

+1 Why would you spend $1,000 on a lens to dump on a cheap $30 filter? Filters do make a difference. That doesn't mean you have to spend $300 on them though. I tend to stick with the higher end Hoya line (HD line or the dmc pro1 lines) and have had good luck with them. I really Like the HD line with the hardened glass - it cleans a lot easier.

For grads, Lee, B+W, Schneider are all great. I had a Lee once, then broke it. $250 down the drain. I have used Cokin and have a ton of "A" filters that I almost never use. They are cheap. The ZPro & XPro Cokin filters are actually fairly nice. The one thing I have noticed with plate grads is that to do it right and not get reflections bouncing between the lens, filter and plate filter, you do need the Hood made for them - which is huge, and a pain unless you are specifically going out to shoot something in particular. If you do it right, they are great - If it is haphazard, so are the results I have found.

When I purchase this lens early next year I will be buying the Singh Ray Vari ND filter 77mm Thin for anywhere between $300-$400 and be done with ND filters. I have every stepup ring needed so it will work on all my lenses. Right now I have the Cokin P wide angle holder with a Cokin 84x120 graduated ND filter. I want the 3 stop soft graduation Daryl Benson reverse ND filter for $120. This should complete my filter lineup I think. I am not particularly happy with my Circular Polarizer either at the moment so I might pick up a 77mm Singh Ray Blue Gold or warming polarizer. If funds become frightening I will go for the B&W 77mm Polarizer. I have heard good things about the Kaesemann B&W Polarizer as well. Again very pricey though.

This allows me either 3, 6 or 9 f/stops. Also, at the 3 and 6 f/stops ND, I am using only one piece of glass (2 surfaces) in front of the lens. A variable ND filter always has two filters or four surfaces in front of the lens.

Also with the 16-35mm which I will be using this on as well, a single filter on the front will vignette far less than a variable ND filter which is quite thick. There you go....

I've never used any Grad ND filters (or ND filters either). Had a chance to buy any square Lee/Cokin filter for peanuts before our local Ritz shut down a few years back. What system would you guys go with? I love landscape shots and would like a flexible system...and a sytem under $300. What would you guys suggest?

When I say flexible, I mean ability to use straight ND filters as well. If you could, please provide a link to amazon/ebay/b&h/adorama/etc with specific filter and adaptors. Thank you X 100. You guys rock